Darien routs Greenwich behind Grant’s six TDs

Updated 9:13 pm, Saturday, September 26, 2015

Darien quarterback Tim Graham (#11) left, high-fives Darien running back Shelby Grant (#21) after Grant scored on a 3rd quarter run during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28.

Darien quarterback Tim Graham (#11) left, high-fives Darien running back Shelby Grant (#21) after Grant scored on a 3rd quarter run during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien

At left, Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes an acrobatic catch as he steps in front of Greenwich defender Kyle Christensen (#22) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At left, Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes an acrobatic catch as he steps in front of Greenwich defender Kyle Christensen (#22) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High ... more

At left, Luke Beinstock (#3) of Greenwich beats a diving Darien defender on a 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At left, Luke Beinstock (#3) of Greenwich beats a diving Darien defender on a 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at ... more

At left, Darien's Nick Green (#26) gets past a diving Greenwich defender during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At left, Darien's Nick Green (#26) gets past a diving Greenwich defender during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. ... more

At center, Michael Giannesello (#34) just misses blocking the punt of Darien's Dillion Jones (#20) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. At left is Jon Aziz (#14) of Greenwich. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At center, Michael Giannesello (#34) just misses blocking the punt of Darien's Dillion Jones (#20) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., ... more

Rob Trifone (#28) of Darien interepts a pass intended for Scooter Harrington (#80) of Greenwich, right, during the 3rd quarter of the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

Rob Trifone (#28) of Darien interepts a pass intended for Scooter Harrington (#80) of Greenwich, right, during the 3rd quarter of the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High ... more

Darien football coach Rob Trifone during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28.

Darien football coach Rob Trifone during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28.

Greenwich football coach John Marinelli, left, during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

Greenwich football coach John Marinelli, left, during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, ... more

Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes a catch being a Greenwich defender, Issac Floyd (#25), left, during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes a catch being a Greenwich defender, Issac Floyd (#25), left, during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., ... more

At right, Greenwich quarterback Frank Alfano (#6) scrambles out of the pocket as he is pressured by Darien's Mark Evanchick (#90) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At right, Greenwich quarterback Frank Alfano (#6) scrambles out of the pocket as he is pressured by Darien's Mark Evanchick (#90) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien ... more

At left, Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes a catch as he steps in front of Greenwich defender Kyle Christensen (#22) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at Greenwich, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Darien defeated Greenwich, 51-28. less

At left, Darien's Colin Minicus (#6) makes a catch as he steps in front of Greenwich defender Kyle Christensen (#22) during the high school football game between Greenwich High School and Darien High School at ... more

Darien running back Shelby Grant admitted when the Blue Wave came to Greenwich last year, the magnitude of playing in his first “big game” created more than a few butterflies in his stomach.

Fast forward one year, after playing in the biggest games the state of Connecticut has to offer — including the FCIAC and Class L championship games — Grant was much more comfortable in his return trip to Cardinal Stadium.

Grant scored six touchdowns Saturday as the No. 3 ranked Blue Wave rolled over Greenwich 51-28 in front of a packed house at Cardinal Stadium.

Darien beat Greenwich last year as well, but Grant said this year he and the rest of the Blue Wave came in with more confidence.

“Last year I came here and it was my first big game and I was so nervous,” Grant said. “Coming into this game I knew I needed to calm down and just control my nerves. Last year we had five fumbles here, I think I had one or two of them.”

There were no fumbles from Darien Saturday as it used a combination of the spread and the wildcat to keep the Greenwich defense off balance from the opening drive, which culminated in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Timmy Graham to Grant.

Darien led 14-0 before everyone was even seated with Grant running one in from 5-yards out with 6:13 left in the first quarter.

Darien coach Rob Trifone said there are few more selfless players than Grant.

“He’s a special kid in many different ways,” Trifone said. “You won’t find a more humble player and I mean that. He is quiet and works hard and just to give you an idea, he is always on our scout team because we can’t simulate fast running backs without him and our offensive coordinator is always trying to take him out but he’s always going back in. He says ‘coach that JV kid just can’t do it. Let me in.’ Who does that? That’s the type of kid he is.”

Greenwich got on the board in the first quarter when Luke Bienstock ran in from 15-yards out, making it 14-7, but Greenwich would not get any closer though Bienstock would break free for a 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Greenwich coach John Marinelli, making his home debut, said his team can learn a lot from how Darien goes about its business.

“It’s not that we don’t have (the ability to do the little things), but they are used to playing in big games like this,” Marinelli said. “You could see it at halftime. We were down and our kids were just silent and that is a direct correlation to how the second half started. We are silent, come out flat, they score twice, so any momentum we might have had just didn’t come. I am proud of how they fought but we just need to correct some mistakes and move forward.”

Darien scored on the first three possessions of the third quarter, building the lead to 51-14.